Heart Murmurs
March
2010
|
CASE Board and Executive |
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President
- Glen Gregory |
Past
President - Gerry Stemke |
Program
- Dave Fleiger |
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|
Glen Gregory, President |
Ron Kirschner, Membership |
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2009/10 ANNUAL
GENERAL MEETING AND SELF HELP PROGRAM
Alberta School for
the Deaf 6240 – 113 Street, Edmonton AB
Monday March 22,
2010 7:00PM
Agenda
1.
Call to Order
2.
Approval of Agenda
3.
Minutes 2008/09 Annual General Meeting
4.
Business Arising from Minutes
5. Reports
a. TreasurerÕs Report
b. Program Director's Report
6.
Election of Officers
7.
New Business
8. PresidentÕs Report
9. Annual General Meeting Adjournment
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS TO THE CASE EXECUTIVE
Ron Torgerson is seeking nominations of members who
are willing to serve on the Executive Committee of CASE. There are a variety of positions open
so if you have an interest in supporting the association we need your
help. Please call Ron Torgerson at
780-435 5344 to discuss the opportunities and the important role you could
serve.
MARCH SELF HELP - EDUCATION SESSION
The Edmonton Lifelong Learners Association (ELLA) was founded in 2001 to provide learning opportunities for older adults. ELLA is a registered, non-profit organization administered by volunteers. the association's past offerings of courses on diverse subjects of interest including Writing, Literature, History, Political Science, Art History have been of high interest to participants. It is a more relaxed approach to lifelong learning with no tests, quizzes or assignments. Our guest speaker is Lina-Dee Andres. She will focus her talk on what ELLA is about, what course openings are available in the Spring, and items of general interest to our members.
Lina-Dee's dream has been to own her own business specializing in providing care and companionship to seniors. Her plans now have come to fruition Her professional background working as a nursing assistant caring for geriatrics and seniors has eminently qualified her for her present vocation.
NOTES ON THE FEBRUARY GUEST SPEAKER
The Education Self Help meeting of February 22 met with Dr. Catherine Phillips a psychiatrist with the University of Alberta who has focused much of her practice on the use of mindfulness therapy. She defines 'mindfulness' as "paying attention in a particular way or purpose in the present moment, non-judgmentally". Focusing the mind on the present moment, avoiding the constant mind talk we all experience can be very relaxing and reduce the individual's mental and physical stress. Catherine led us through an exercise to focus our minds on breathing and to pay attention to our individual internal aches and pain. The act of internal focusing served to set aside external concerns and stressors and, as such was very relaxing.
There is a growing body of applied academic research concerning the application of 'mindfulness techniques to the treatment of stress experienced by cardiac patients. One paper "Participant Experiences of a Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy Group for Cardiac Rehabilitation" notes:
"Recently there has been a growth of
interest in mindfulness-based psychotherapeutic approaches across a range of
medical problems. Cardiac
rehabilitation patients often suffer from stress, worry, anxiety and
depression, all of which can lead to poor prognosis and worsening of cardiac
symptoms. ...using analysis of participant experiences,
this study reports on the first known Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy group
adapted for cardiac rehabilitation.
Analysis identified the development of awareness, commitment, within
group experiences, relating to the material and acceptance as central
experiential themes. The use of
the approach was supported for this population." (http://hpq.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/14/5/675)
A second paper, published in 2006 by Jessica Psujek
of Duke University noted:
An important component of recovery and
prevention for cardiac patients is stress management. One powerfully effective
technique ... is mindfulness meditation.
The practice of mindfulness facilitates
relaxation and has been shown to reduce blood pressure and lower heart rate. Mindfulness meditation means tuning
into the present moment and its accompanying sensations. One is aware of thoughts and emotions
without being overwhelmed by them.
Mindfulness is defined as, ÒCareful, open-hearted, present-moment
awareness. So often our thoughts
are taking us to past events or worries of the future, our plans and to-do
lists, and we lose that present-moment awareness.Ó Patients are led through one of three meditations.
Awareness of breath. ÒHere, the breath is an object of attention. Pay attention to the quality of the
breath, whether itÕs fast or slow, deep or shallow. YouÕre giving your
attention to the experience of breathing and cultivating relaxation through a
series of thoughtful breaths.
Body scan. Roam deliberately through the body, focusing on one area at a time,
noting sensations, points of tension or ease, discomfort or pain. Note any
emotions that arise, such as, ÒI hate my belly.Ó. Be purposeful and without judgment.
Loving-kindness. Recite inwardly the following phrases: ÒMay I
be happy. May I be healthy. May I be peaceful. May I be safe.Ó Then expand the
loving-kindness to include others, redirecting the phrases to focus on a person
you care about, a person with whom you are having difficulty, and a more
ÒneutralÓ person, such as an acquaintance.
With consistent practice, the benefits of
mindfulness meditation will extend into the participantsÕ daily lives. ÒBeing
centered in the moment may keep you from being carried away by strong emotions
like anxiety or anger. (http://www.dukehealth.org/health_library/health_articles/breathandbeing)
HEARTS AND FLOWERS
If you are aware of any member who has taken ill,
has been confined to their home, or has been hospitalized, please e-mail this
information info@edmontoncase.org or
call Donna Haugh at 780-463-0644, or Glen Gregory at 780 434-3336.
CARDIOPULMONARY RESUCITATION (CPR)
Cardiac refers to the heart. Arrest means stop. Sudden cardiac arrest is the sudden and
unexpected loss of heart function in a person (i.e. the heart stops beating). Cardiac arrest is not the same as heart
attack. A heart attack occurs when
the blood supply to the heart is slowed or stopped because of a blockage. In the case of a heart attack, the
heart continues to beat. Both
cardiac arrest and heart attack are medical emergencies that require early
access to emergency medical care – minutes matter.
Cardiac arrest may have a variety of causes
including heart disease, drowning, stroke, electrocution, suffocation, drug
overdose, motor vehicle or other injury. Signs of cardiac arrest include: no breathing, no movement or
response to initial rescue breaths, and no pulse.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency
procedure to restore blood flow to someone suffering cardiac arrest, keeping
the victim alive until advanced medical care arrives. Knowing how to respond to a cardiac
arrest can increase the odds of survival and recovery by 30 percent or more.
Conventional CPR involves chest compressions (pushing down hard and fast on the centre
of the chest) and artificial respiration (rescue breathing or mouth-to-mouth
breaths) in order to provide oxygen to essential organs such as the heart and
brain.
Hands-Only CPR
is CPR without mouth-to-mouth breaths.
It involves providing high quality chest compressions by pushing hard
and fast on the centre of the chest, at a rate of about 100 times per minute. Hands-Only CPR is a potentially
lifesaving option that can be used by people not trained in conventional CPR,
or those who are unsure of their ability to give the combination of chest
compressions and mouth-to-mouth breathing required for conventional CPR.
This article on CPR was extracted from the Heart and Stroke Foundation's
website: (http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/c.ikIQLcMWJtE/b.4677141/k.3F2F/Position_Statements__Cardiopulmonary_Resuscitation_CPR.htm
)
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
The winner of the free breakfast at the February
Social Breakfast was Roy Haugh
|
Event |
Date |
Time |
Place |
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Social Breakfast |
Wed Mar 17 |
9:00 AM |
SEESA |
|
Annual General Meeting and Education Self Help Session |
Mon Mar 22 |
7:00 PM |
ASFD |
|
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|
|
|
|
Social Breakfast |
Wed Apr 28 |
9:00 AM |
SEESA |
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Barbeque 2010 |
Friday Jun 4 |
4:30 PM |
Malmo |
|
Christmas Party 2010 |
Sun Dec 5 |
4:30 PM |
Malmo |
Notes: SEESA: The
South East Edmonton Seniors Assoc. address
is 9350 82nd Street, Edmonton
ASFD: The
Alberta School for the Deaf address
is 6240-113 Street, Edmonton
Malmo: Malmo
Community League address
is 11525 48th Avenue Edmonton